Bitterne United Reformed Church – News, Worship & Community Updates

The June 2026 edition of Outlook celebrates the start of summer with worship, fellowship, community events, and updates from across Bitterne URC as we continue marking our 40th anniversary in Bitterne Precinct.

Key Highlights This Month

• Church Diary: A full programme including Wednesday Worship, Community Lunch, Senior Citizens outings, Bible Study, Women’s Group social, Green Mosaic Service, and Father’s Day Communion.
• Message from an Elder: A reflection on retirement, noticing God’s creation, and appreciating the beauty around us. “All of this reminded me of God’s creation… Let’s look around and say thank you to God for all that we see.”
• Church Family News & Prayer: Thanksgiving for improved health, prayers for those facing hardship, and support for young people revising for exams.
• Bitterne URC Away Day: A joyful day at Petersfield URC filled with fellowship, creative workshops, worship, games, and shared meals. “It was a day full of fellowship, laughter, learning and joy.”
• Exam Season Encouragement: A message of support for GCSE, A‑level and college students during a busy and stressful time.
• Work Experience Spotlight: Chloe’s excellent contribution to church life, from admin tasks to media editing and Brigade support.
• 40th Anniversary Events:
  • Solent Fellowship Band Concert raising £800 for Southampton Music Trust and Sholing Salvation Army Community Kitchen.
  • Christian Aid Quiz Night raising nearly £1000 for global justice work.
• Southern Fellowship Anniversary Service: Reflections on URC identity, mission, and the Great Commission, with representatives from all Southern Fellowship churches.
• Women’s Group: A lively and informative visit from Richie the Hearing Dog and insights into how trained dogs transform the lives of deaf people.
• Girls’ Brigade:
  • Summer Tea Party with Bible Aunties
  • Swanage Camp preparations and ice‑cream donations
  • Easyfundraising and JustGiving links to support GB work
• The Leprosy Mission: Updates on early‑diagnosis research in Bangladesh and compassionate outreach through the Karuna Project in Mumbai.
• BIG CLEAR OUT: A whole‑church decluttering project planned to reorganise storage and refresh our spaces.
• Summer Fair – 18 July: A brand‑new community fair with stalls, games, and activities as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations.
• Uganda Update: Anthony shares plans for a school‑sponsorship scheme and a possible 2027 church trip to Uganda.
• Outreach Update: Highlights from April–May including the Great Bitterne Bake Off, Salvation Army concert, website growth, inclusive worship development, and ongoing social media and Outlook work.
• Care & Connect Café: Volunteers needed for the new dementia‑friendly carers café launching in 2027.
• Eco Tips – June: Citizen science projects, nature surveys, pollinator counts, and Great Big Green Week activities.